The Arctic region faces significant challenges and changes related to employment, demographic changes and economic development. To contribute to a more resilient Arctic one needs not only to focus on climate changes and its effects on its economy and natural resources, but one also needs to consider the people living in the Arctic. Sustaining livelihoods in Arctic regions will thus contribute to increasing the health and welfare of people in the Arctic. There is a need for innovative solutions to succeed with keeping old and developing new industries and jobs in the region. At the same time, one needs to ensure that groups outside the job market can be given a possibility to become a permanent part of the job market in Northern Norway, as well as other northern regions.
The educational model “Prepp” is relatively new and piloted in four Northern Norwegian municipalities in 2022. “Prepp” offers a preparational year consisting of both school and internship for immigrants with weak Norwegian language skills before joining vocational training as health worker, industrial worker, or chef (as of 2024). Thus, “Prepp” aims at promoting (work) inclusion of immigrants and education dire needed professionals. “Prepp” is offered in 10 different Northern Norwegian municipalities in 2023/2024.
The doctoral project will provide insight into how innovative and sustainable education models can be adapted to the needs of the work life in the Arctic and contribute to sustaining and developing jobs in the region, hence also sustaining and further-developing local societies. The project first and foremost addresses the Sustainable Development Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth, but is also relevant to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 10. The PhD candidate will be free to choose the research focus of the doctoral project, such as employer perspective, work inclusion, school and education, the participants’ perspectives, sustaining rural populations, and more.
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